Overcoming Discouragement

 

“I cried out to God for help…”

—Psalm 77:1a

As a child, did you learn to sing Jiminy Crickett’s song, “Give a Little Whistle,” from the Disney film Pinocchio?

When you are discouraged
and you don’t know right from wrong.
Give a little whistle.
Give a little whistle.

If you learned the song, did you ever try it? Did it work? Did you decide to “always let your conscience be your guide”?

The Psalmist, faced with discouragement, tried another tact in Psalm 77:1-2, 10-15:

I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.

When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted.

Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

Instead of joining the “Jiminy Cricket Team,” let’s make the conscious choice to stay faithful to the team whose Captain has already chosen us to belong to Him. God will help us in our discouragement. He will make certain we know right from wrong. He will embue our conscience with the direction of His Holy Spirit. It doesn’t get any better than that.

 

Originally posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2015

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